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Caught in Time: Dunfermlines 1965 Scottish Cup final side

Given the level of Old Firm dominance in Scottish football, there was widespread surprise when Dunfermline beat Rangers 2-0 at the end of 2003. Yet, 40 years ago, such a result would have barely raised an eyebrow, given the excellence of the EastEnders, who were the most highly regarded of Scotland’s provincial clubs. Under Jock Stein from 1959 to 1964, they won the Scottish Cup for the first time and competed regularly in Europe, and when Willie Cunningham took over as manager once Stein had left for Celtic, they enjoyed the most successful season in their history ... or almost.

Harry Melrose, one of the club’s most prolific strikers, recalls: “We were in with a great chance of winning the League, but could only draw against St Johnstone (and finished third, one point behind champions Kilmarnock). The Scottish Cup final (against Celtic on April 24, 1965, in front of 108,800 at